Branson tourism tax grows 5% in April

The city collected $768,484 in tourism-tax revenue in April. Since the fiscal year began in October, revenue from the 1 percent tax has risen 12.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

The tax is collected from tourism-related businesses such as attractions, theaters, lodging and restaurants. Officials attribute the revenue increase to new attractions, including Branson Landing, and to increased marketing efforts at the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The city expects tourism-tax revenue to climb even higher when the Branson Convention Center opens in August. The center will cover 220,000 square feet with an adjoining 293-room Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.

“The audiences involved in convention center events will be a new audience for us, particularly business travelers, whose characteristics differ markedly from our current visitor makeup,” City Administrator Terry Dody said in the release.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s June 5 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.